Ashley Stahl* suggests some career paths for people who never feel comfortable mixing in crowds.
You walk into a networking event or a team meeting and head straight to the back row.
From here, you can observe everything uninterrupted.
When called upon, you cringe inside before you smile and speak.
If this sounds close to home, you are likely introverted.
Introverts make up a large slice of the population and find their energy from being alone.
You consider yourself more of a wallflower than a social butterfly and hey, that is okay.
You have a set of skills that can be used well in certain occupations.
You are likely independent, creative, a good listener and have a strong ability to stay focused.
Introverts’ brains are wired differently and have a lower threshold for dopamine.
This means, it takes less stimulation to feel a sense of reward, joy and euphoria.
However, in the working world, where collaboration and open-office environments are on the rise, you likely struggle to find a role that fits you.
Here are some career paths to consider when on the hunt for an introvert-friendly job.
Laboratory technician
With strong attention to detail and open-mindedness, introverts make great detectives.
If you prefer the behind-the-scenes action, a forensic science technician is a good career to investigate…no pun intended.
You collect and analyse evidence in a laboratory setting and on occasion may travel, based on the crime.
This job does require a bachelor degree in a science-related field but will be well worth it if you enjoy the daily tasks.
You will stay behind the scenes in work to diagnose patients and the majority of your day will be spent in a lab environment running tests on samples.
Writer
Introverts usually enjoy solitude and time with their thoughts, and a writer will channel these thoughts into a creative storyline.
Consider speech-writing, ghost-writing or copy-writing career paths, all of which lend well to your independent mind and require a great deal of detail and focus.
If you come from a very technical background in a niche field, technical writing may be a great opportunity to break into the writing world.
A technical writer will conduct research on a specific area and then produce documentation in the form of manuals or supporting documents for products or services.
Accountant
Through the use of strong math and organisational skills, an accountant will spend the majority of the day working with numbers, not people.
In order to become an accountant, you will need a bachelor degree in accounting or related field.
If you aim to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) you will need to pass the certification process.
This is a strong career choice if you are looking for the long haul since jobs in accounting are projected to grow by 10 per cent by 2026 — more than any other job.
Animal care giver or veterinarian
You might not enjoy spending time with large groups of people, but you may enjoy spending time with animals.
An animal care manager or vet will spend the majority of their time working with animals in zoos, shelters, clinics or animal sanctuaries.
Here they will diagnose, train and examine animals.
Understand your skill sets and seek jobs that cater to what you do best.
Once you step into a career that fits your mould you will be surprised to find how quickly you excel.
*Ashley Stahl is a career coach, keynote speaker, podcast host and author. In a previous life she was award-winning counter-terrorism professional. She can be contacted at ashleystahl.com.
This article first appeared at ashleystahl.com.
